Adjustable connection for wheel suspension or the like



Julyfi, 1938. J. w. LEIGHTON ADJUSTABLE CONNECTION FOR WHEEL SUSF'ENSION? OR THE LIKE:

Filed Jan, 20, 1938 Patented July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES" PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE CONNECTION FOB WHEEL- SUSPENSION OR THE LIKE GClaims.

. The present invention relates to vehicle wheel suspensions, and to improved adjustable joints.

In the specific forms illustrated, the invention is directed to the provision oi improved means for 5 varying the caster and camber angles of a vehicle wheel suspension.

The present invention is a continuation in part of applicants co-pending application, Serial No.31,986, filed July 8, 1935, and is also closely 10' related to applicants co-pending applications, Serial No. 698,715, filed November 18, 1933, and Serial No. 107,536, filed October 26, 1936.

The principal objects of the present invention are to provide an improved wheel suspension for 1 vehicles, characterized as embodying economically-manufactured and readily adjustable means for adjustably determining the caster and camoer angles; to. provide such a suspension characterized as embodying a pin having first and sec- 20 nd eccentrically related threaded portions; to

provide such a suspension, including a wheel supporting member, a member connected to the vehicle, and .a pin forming a pivotal'connection between the two members, the pin being charac-r 25terizedv as including two eccentrically related threaded portions, one of the portions being adapted to be locked to one of the members and the other threaded portion being adapted to turn in the other member; to provide such a suspen-v Further objects of the invention are to provide 35 an improved adjustable joint, characterized as embodying first and second members adapted to be pivotally connected to each other by a pin, the pin having first'and second eccentrically related threaded portions; to provide such a joint 40 embodying means to non-rotatably secure one of the threaded portions within one of 'the members, the other threaded-portion being rotatably secured within the other member; and to provide such a joint characterized in that the threads in one of the pin portions are of different pitch than the threads in the other pin portion.

With the. above; as well as other objects in view which appear in the following description 50 and inthe appended claims, preferred but illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawing, throughout the several views of which corresponding reference characters are used to designate corre- 55 sponding parts, and in which:

a connected, as indicated at Figure 1 is a 'view in elevation of a front wheel suspension embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View in horizontal section, taken along the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation of a wheel 5 suspension embodying a modification of the invention; and, v

.Fig. 4 is a view in horizontal section, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

InFigs. 1 and 2, an illustrative vehicle wheel II] is connected to the vehicle frame l2fby a suspension which includes a pair of similar conventional leaf type cross-springs M, a kingpin IS, a knuckle bracket IS, a connecting link 20, and a suitable shock absorber 22.'

The knuckle bracket I8 is pivotally gonnected to the kingpin Hi, to permit the usual steering movement of the wheel l0, and preferably, though not necessarily, the pivotal bearing between the bracket l8 and the kingpin I8 is of the threaded type, the kingpin 16 being externally threaded, and the knuckle bracket l8 be.- ing internally threaded.

The lower end of the kingpin I6, which is externally threaded, is threadablyieceived within an internally threaded aperture .formed in a bracket 24, and is adapted :to be locked in place therein by a usual locking pin 25. The bracket 24 is also provided with a clevis 28, within which the lower end of the shock'absorber 22 is pivotal- 1y secured by means of the stud 30. The upper end'of the shock absorber 22 is pivotally connected, as indicated at 32, to a bracket 34 which projects upwardly from the frame I2. The upper end of the kingpin is suitably and pivotally 35 6, to a member 38 secured in one end of the connecting link 20. The other end of the link 20 is correspondingly connected to the vehicle frame by a joint 40.

The outer ends of the leaf springs M, which 40 are arranged in generally spaced parallel relation, are connected to the previously mentioned bracket 24 through the improved joint of the present invention.

As illustrated, the pin 42 which forms the 'con- 45 necting member of the improved joint, comprises the two similarly formed and axially aligned portions 42a, and an intermediate portion 42b,

the axis of which is parallel to the axis of portions 42a but is laterally offset or eccentric with respect to them. The end portions 42a are exteriorly threaded with threads of corresponding hand and pitch, and the intermediate portion 42b is correspondingly threaded.

In accordance with the arrangement disclosed granted August 29, 1933 bushings 44 are intersprings I4.

-more lightly cut.

posed between the end portions 42a and the bearin: bosses 48 which are formed at the ends of the The bushings 44 are internally threaded with threads which mate with the threads on the portions 42a, and are externally threaded with threads of corresponding pitch but The external threads on the bushings 44 mate with correspondingly lightly cut threads formed in the bearing bosses 46. The

arrangement is's'uch that during assembly, the

bushings 44 are turned suilloientlyv far into the bosses 48 .so that the unthreadedend portions 44a thereof wedge against the.outer faces of the spring ends, and lock the bushings against rotation within the bosses. The pivoting niovement The assembly or the joints shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may follow the procedure outlined in the above identified patent, it being noted, that while the intermediate portion 42b is larger than the end portions 42a. it is smaller than the openings provided in the bearing bosses 48. Briefly,'the assembly procedure consists in bringing the two spring ends of the bracket 24 to substantially the relative positions shown. moving one end portion 42:: of the pin through the opening 48, and thereafter threading the portion 42b into the opening 48 to a position in which the pin 42 is substantially centered between the springs I4. Thereafter the bushings 44 may be threaded intothe corresponding bearing bosses and onto the corresponding pin portions to their finally locked positions in which they are wedgingly held against turning movement.

It'will be appreciated that the suspension for the opposite wheel I 8 mayand preferably does duplicate the just described arrangemenhand that the springs I4 extend entirely across the vehicle and so are common to both wheels. It

will further be understood that in operation, a

vertical movement .of either wheel I8 relative to the frame, is resisted by the springs I4 as well as by the associated shock absorber 22. Any such vertical movement results in a pivotal movement of the springs I4 relative to the kingpin bracket 24, thispivotai movement appearing as a turning movement of the pin.portions 4211 within the bushings 44. The wheel movement is also accompanied by a pivoting movement of the kingpin I8 relative to the connecting link 28" about the Joints 88, and by a pivotal movement of the links 28 relative to the frame about the joints 48.

Coming now to the camber adjusting feature of the present invention, it will be noted that the ends of the bushings 44 are closed by Welch plugs be turned about the axis of the portions 42a,

upon releasing the take-up stud 88. Any such rotative movements of the pin 42 causes the intermediate portion 42b to move bodily, correspondingly moving the lower end of-the kingpin andclaimed in applicant's Patent No. 1,924,448,

I 8 inwardly or outwardly relative to the'position of the upper end thereof. This inward or outward movement,-as will be appreciated, causes a correspondingadiustment of the camber of the wheel I8. h

.In the Just described arrangement, the leads of the threads on the end and intermediate portions 42a and 42bof the pin 42 correspond to each other, so 'that the just described adjusting movement of the pin 42 does not alter or cause any change'in the position of the lower end of the kingpin forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle. The adjustment aflored by the. pin 42, accordingly, has to do with the camber of the wheels I8, but does not alter the caster angle of these wheels.

The modified arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and portions. With this arrangement a rotation of 4 the pin alters the camber angle of the associated wheel in the same'manner as described above and in addition, by virtueof the opposite lead of the threads in the intermediate portion, causesv a corresponding adjustment of the caster angle of the associated wheel;

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4 one of the front wheels is indicated at 88 and is rotatably mounted on a spindle-82 that may be integral with upper and lower bearing portions 84 and that have sleeve bearings 88 and 10 therein respectively for receiving a kingpin I2. The pin 12 projects through a portion I4 of a mounting member I8 disposed between the bearing portions 84 and 68, and a thrust bearing I8 may be disposed between the lower sleeve bearing and the portion I4. The wheel mayturn on the pin I2 for steering purposes.

Upper and lower ends of the mounting member I8 are pivotally connected to the free ends of the link members 80 and 82 so as to provide substantially a parallelogram linkage which will allow vertical movement of the wheel relative to the frame without substantially changing the portion of the link member has an apertured bracket plate 84 secured thereto and a stem 88 ing through an opening in the threaded portion v of the stem. At its outer end-the stem is integral with a bifurcated arm 90 having one end provided'with a threaded opening 92 and its other end formed with a split portion having a nonthreaded opening 94. A clamping bolt 98 may be used to draw up the ends of the split portion for av purpose to be' mentioned hereinafter. The threaded opening 92 receives a threaded bearing bushing 98 constructed of hard metal that has a hex portion Hill for turning the bushing as well as limiting its inward threaded movement. opening 94 slidably receives a hard metal bushing I82 that has ahex head I84 thereon and once this bushing is in placeit is prevented from turning by a projection I05 on the end of the arm 80 which extends along one face of the hex head as will be readily understood. Both of the bushlugs 88 and I02 are internally threaded alike for receiving threaded endportions I and I08 of a hard metal pivot pin H0 and the threads are fairly deep to'provide a more efiicient bearing arrangement between the pin and bushings. The pitch and direction of the external threads on bushing 98 and in opening 92 are. the same as that of the internal threads on the bushings and on the ends I08 and I08 of the pin, but are relatively shallow so as to obtain more of a wedging engagement between such external threads and the threads in the opening, that normally will prevent turning of the bushing after the hex head I00 engages the end of member 90 except when a wrench is applied. Between the ends of with an enlarged, eccentric portion II2, which is threaded and in an opposite direction, and with threads of multiple form which are finer and have a greater pitch. This eccentric portion of the pin fing member H4 and such end of the mounting member I I4 has a threaded portion of clamping character through which the threaded pin first may be threaded and then locked thereto by means of a bolt IIG. In certain of the claims,

threads of different "lead are recited, and in will clamp the mounting member to the pin. The

threaded wedging engagement of the bushing 98 with the threaded opening 92 is sufficient to hold the'ibushi-ng 98 in place and prevent turning tivelock is provided for preventing. loosening of the parts of the joint while permitting relative I turning of the mounting member and pin relative to the bushings.

The-outer ends of the bushings 88 and I02 may 'flbeclosedby means of Welch plugs I I8 which may berapertured to receive grease fittings I20. ,One

of the fittings I20 may be welded or otherwise secured in place while the other fitting I20 is :1mov'al.uiThe corresponding outer end of the threaded portion of the pin 'I'I0 has a-socket I22 to permit inserting a suitable tool through the opening into which the fitting is threaded and justable connection will be sumcient to take care of the castering and camber angles of the wheel..

This adjustable connection might be located at 5 either end but is located in the particular inthe bifurcated arm 90, the pin H0 is provided is threaded through the upper end of the mount I thereof in the opening. Accordingly, a very posi- I threaded into the disc so as to permit its'rewhen the latter is removed,. a suitable tool, may

If only one adjustable connection is provided, it

may be preferable to use the same joint in the other connection but to provide the pin with the same thread throughout its length and to clamp the end of the mounting member about the intermediate portion of the pin. r

In adjusting the castering and camber angles, the clamping bolt H8 is loosened, the nut 88 is loosened to permit stem 88 to turn and the fitting I20 is removed. A suitable tool then is inserted into engaging relation with the socket I22 and upon turning the tool, the pin I I0 turns and ow ing to the threadon the ends of the pin being opposite as compared to the threads on the intermediate portion, the mounting member III is moved lengthwise of .the pin IIO. Owing to the greater pitch of the central multiple thread on the pin, a pronounced movement of the mounting member may be obtained with only a small longitudinal travel of the pin relative to the arm 90 from which it follows that the bearing bushings may be shorter and a smaller space may be provided between the ends of the pin and the grease fitting plugs.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing rotative'movement of the pin H0, in addition to effecting the just described adjustment of the castering angle, also affords an adjustment of the camber angle in the same manner as described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 due to thebodily movement of the eccentric mid-section II2; It is to be noted that the pitches and leads of the threads on the intermediate or end sections of the pin are preferably so related to the degree of eccentricity of the mid-section I that a complete revolution of the pin, which complete revolution will, of course, cause no net change in the camber angle, causes only a relatively minor ad- .justment of the castering angle of the wheel.

In this way', if a castering adjustment is desired without causing a corresponding camber adjustment, the pin I I0 may be rotated through a single complete revolution or revolutions. After making the adjustment, the fitting I20 is inserted and clamping bolt I I6 and nut 88 are again tightened movement of the link and mounting members and transverse adjustment thereof while I insuringthat the several parts of the jointwill be positively held against loosening during operation of the vehicle. Also a joint is provided which does not require removal of any parts except one of the grease fittings in making adjustments, thereby simplifying the adjusting procedure.

Although only two forms of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that vari- -ous modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:' 1} y 1. A pivotal and adjustable joint comprising a pair of members one of which has apertured and spaced arm portions'and the other an apertured portion disposed between said arm portions, a pin extending through all of the apertures and having its opposite ends similarly threaded, the intermediate portion of the pin beingeccentric and threaded, thread means in the apertures in the arm portions for receiving the threaded ends of the pin, thread means in the aperture in the other member to receive the threaded eccentric portion of the pin, and means for releasably looking one of the members to the pin for causing the pin to turn with said last mentioned one member during relative pivotal movement of the members.

2. In a vehicle wheel suspension, a supporting member having spaced arm portions having internally threaded axially aligned apertures therein, a wheel mounting member extending between said spaced arm portions and having an internally threaded aperture axially parallel with the arm apertures, a pin having axially aligned threaded end portions threadably matching and engaging the apertures in the arm portions, respectively, and an offset threaded intermediate portion threadably matching and engaging the aperture in the wheel mounting member, and

means releasably locking the pin against rotation relative to one of said members so that relative pivotal movement of one member relative to the other causes the pin to pivotally turn on the threads in the other member, and so that when the locking means is released, turningof the pin relative to both members adjusts the relative positions of the members.

3. In a vehicle wheel suspension, a supporting member having spaced arm portions having internally threaded axially aligned apertures therein', a wheel mounting member extending between to pivotally turn on the threads in the other memher, and so that when the locking means is released, turning of the pin relative to both members adjusts the relative positions of the members.

4. In a vehicle wheel suspension, a supporting member having spaced arm-portions having internally. threaded axially aligned apertures theregaging the aperture in the wheel mounting member, and means releasably locking the pin against rotation relative to one oi. said members so that relative pivotal movement of one member relative to the other causes'the pin to pivotally turn on the'threads in the other member, and so that when the locking means is released, turning of the pin relative to both members adjusts the relative positions of the members.

5. A pivotal and adjustable joint comprising a pair of members one of which has apertured and spaced arm portions and the other an apertured portion disposed between said arm portions, a pin extending through all of the apertures and having its opposite ends similarly threaded, the intermediate portion of the pin being eccentric and threaded, thread means in the apertures in the arm portions for receiving the threaded ends of the pin, thread means in the aperture in the other-member to receive the threaded eccentric portion of the pin, the thread means in the apertures in said members being of like lead and pitch,

and means for releasably locking one of the mem I bers to the pin for causing the pin to turn with said last mentioned one member during relative pivotal movement of the members.

6. A pivotal and adjustable joint comprising a pair of members one of which has apertured and spaced arm portions and the other an apertured portion disposed between said arm portions, a pin extending through all of,the apertures and having its opposite ends similarly threaded, the intermediate portion of the pin 'being eccentric and threaded, thread means in the apertures in the arm portions for receiving the threaded ends of the pin, thread means in the aperture in the .other member 1190 receive the threaded eccentric portion of the pin, the thread means in the apertures in said arm portions being of lead diilerent than that of the thread means in the aperture in the other member, and means for releasably locking one oi! the members to the pin for causing the 

